Hamas defines UN statehood move is risky

Hamas says acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas’ plan to seek the recognition of Palestinian statehood at the United Nations is a risky move.

“Abbas’ decision to go to the UN without consulting with Palestinian factions about the negative and positive impact of such a move and with only partial Arab, Islamic, and international support is something very risky,” Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said on Thursday.

On September 15, representatives of Fatah and Hamas met in Gaza to discuss the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to gain recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations, the Ma’an News Agency reported.

Hamas official Ismail Radwan, who attended the meeting, said that the two sides have different opinions on the effectiveness of the UN statehood proposal but agree that national unity is a priority.

Hamas, which controls Gaza, and Fatah, which rules the West Bank, have been at odds since Hamas won the Palestinian parliamentary elections in January 2006.

Abbas plans to attend a United Nations General Assembly meeting later this month to try to convince UN member states to upgrade the status of Palestine and give it full UN membership.